SOLITAIRE by Alice Oseman
HARDCOVER
Author & Illustrator: Alice Oseman
Dark and beautifully real - SOLITARE is Alice Oseman’s powerful debut novel, and the story that first introduced the world to Tori Spring, as well as familiar Heartstopper favourites Nick and Charlie. Where Heartstopper is soft and warm, Solitaire is sharper, quieter, and more introspective - perfect for readers who connect with messy feelings, loneliness, and the difficult process of growing up.
Tori Spring used to be happy. Or at least she thinks she was. Now she’s tired - of school, of people, of pretending things are fine when they aren’t. She spends most of her time online, in her room, or anywhere she can avoid conversation. Then she meets Michael Holden - strange, optimistic, annoyingly persistent - and almost against her will, they become tangled in each other’s orbit.
At the same time, a school vandal known only as Solitaire begins pulling elaborate pranks, some funny, others threatening. As Tori and Michael dig deeper into who’s behind it, Tori is forced to confront her own unhappiness, her relationships, and the parts of herself she’s been trying to outrun.
Unflinching, emotional, and unforgettable - Solitaire is the book that opened the door to the Heartstopper universe, showing that hope can grow even in the darkest corners.
Why this book deserves a spot on your shelf:
- A more mature, thoughtful tone than Heartstopper
- Honest exploration of mental health and loneliness
- A story about finding connection when you feel numb to the world